Lexus IS300h Review 2013

[@asianskywalker]

I test drove this today. I have to say this is the most unbiased review on youtube. Preferred it over the 3 series.

[@spartt4360]

I was big fan of german cars, until I bought older IS.. had it for 4 years, done 120-176k miles until young driver crashed into me and it was written off😑 in these 4 years i changed tyres, breaks and did service.. Now I bought audi a4 2.0 diesel which has 100k on it, in 6months been in garage twice,last bill was 400£ with used parts from ebay.. This lexus really looks awesome, nothing like boring bmw or audi- every second car on the road is german 2.0 diesel...diesel diesel, some people do 5k miles a year and still going for diesels pact with bloody egr valves dpf etc. If old lexus gave me so much comfort and reliability I just imagine how comfy new ones are. nice review!

[@craigdgriffiths6206]

If I were you, I would have bought a Lexus again!

[@03Deltaintegrale]

For those wanting fuel economy figs, I get 42mpg on a 22mile trip with 60%motorway and 40%city driving with ambient temp at 9celsius. With less traffic I've had it up to 48mpg. Hoping for 50mpg in the summer. Diesel would of been more economical but the reliability factor of lexus swung it for me.

[@tectorama]

I do get peed off when every new car has to be compared to a BMW or Merc. I have yet to hear any car reviewer who likes a CVT gearbox. It was very good in the Civic Hybrid, and even better in the Lexus. Most Lexus owners are not petrol heads, and don't give a toss what it does 0 to 60. People buy Japanese built cars for their reliability.

[@Daniel-Condurachi]

it depends on the lexus's engine chosen. Lexus has its own fast cars bunch

[@oceans2533]

Exactly. Reviewers, particularly young one, talk about the power under the bonnet and how fast it can go to get to 60 from stand still. I could give a continental about that. I want reliability and comfort and this car covers those two points.

[@stuboy13]

The crazy thing is that if one was really into performance cars, they wouldn't be getting an exec car, or a hybrid, or even the 3 series or A5 / c or e-class they are compared to. They'd get a sports car. Boggles me when people complain about things that the car is not designed for.

[@timsmith3229]

A very accomplished, informative and 'grown up' review, easily the best I've seen so far, thank you.

[@rivervalegroup]

We love seeing comments like these on a Monday morning! Thanks for watching, Tim 👍

[@draganmikki5688]

Easily the best review. Why is it not watched more?

[@FrederickGFX]

Lexus does NOT use a belt driven CVT. Their setup is totally different, and they use a geared power split device in place of a transmission.

[@GbMuthu]

This journalist is not alone in thinking so. Most of the reviews I've seen/read about this car have it that way! Pity though that this brilliant electrical motors assistance to the ICE during its torque challenged regions is mistaken for a mechanical gear reduction arrangement! Even the planetary gear in there is only to allow the ICE waste its idiling torque.

[@CynicznyNonkonformista]

Indeed!

[@drianbennett126]

Excellent review. I'm picking up my Lexus tomorrow! Having owned a BMW M3, Mercedes E Class and Mercedes S Class, I won't be returning to German cars, and their poor quality, anytime soon!

[@matthewdoyle8644]

Dr Ian Bennett hows your Lexus ?

[@MLGBrownCat]

German build quality is shit, too much creaking and rattling plastic, my next car is definitely a lexus.

[@timsmith3229]

bump!

[@KennethMavor]

Excellent review. Unbiased yet knowledgeable and helpful.

[@sym667]

I just bought an 2015 IS, and I'm so glad! I'm especially liking its feline nature: tame when you caress it, but it become a leopard when provoked. I suggest CVT powertrain detractors to try it. As a side note though, having tried a small motorization of such a concept, I got the impression that the larger the engine, the better.

[@markthorpe1528]

Bought my pre owned exec model 3 months ago,and over the moon with it.The drive,space,economy,looks are spot on for me.Only two minuses if i am being picky.Cubby holes to put things seem to be limited,and the standard headlights are not powerful enough,Wish i had got one ages ago.

[@rivervalegroup]

Thanks for watching, Mark. Fantastic to hear about your new Lexus 👍

[@jspr2k5]

Hi OSV. This unbiased and super informative video honestly and really gave me the final push I needed to purchase my new IS300h!!

[@rivervalegroup]

Great to hear we could help 👍

[@castlecrushhunter459]

same here 👌

[@kamilianos]

I have been shopping for one, having doubts but have to compliment the review for being the most comprehensive on the internet review of IS300h.

[@rivervalegroup]

Many thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed the review! Be sure to subscribe for more Lexus reviews: bit.ly/39YHCml

[@77funtomas]

Very complex review containing plenty of details about car's features. To be honest I have watched this one along with tonnes of other reviews before I bought mine on 07.2019. 2014 one drives good for me so far. The same looking version with more"creamy" upholstery 😉. If it is only been serviced to required standards I would recommend this vehicle to everybody.

[@rivervalegroup]

Thank you for watching, Tomas. We're glad you found the review useful 👍

[@Klunkski1]

A great review from a very knowledgeable presenter .

[@rivervalegroup]

Thanks for the feedback Paul 👍

[@Shane-zx4ps]

OSV I bought one of these cars because of you

[@NotNowCato1254]

Apart from his transmission ignorance...

[@Vvalov]

Awesome review! Very informative, grown up,serious, yet funny how he makes fun out of the diesel option cars. Thank you for you time!

[@rivervalegroup]

Thank you for watching! Are you looking for a new car at the moment?

[@skoenster]

Excellent review. Maybe I´m biased since I already own one, but absolutely love it, and I will never go back to "ze Germans"... :-)

[@dziadziole8507]

Søren Kjærsgaard Olsen what MPG do you get on it??

[@skoenster]

I get around 4.75 l/100km in city driving and on country roads with 80 km/h. On the highway doing 130 I get around 5.70 L/100km

[@jahirargueta5824]

Søren Kjærsgaard Olsen qcarmax

[@Carebears95]

Do you still own it? Any issues?

[@khurram41]

Excellent probably the best car review!

[@azhariqbal1212]

What a review excellent

[@stepheneurosailor1623]

Honest well produced and presented review.

[@rivervalegroup]

Thanks Stephen! Make sure to subscribe for more comprehensive vehicle reviews - bit.ly/319ZKoT​

[@Choice777]

rubber belt cvt ? LOL wtf ? It's the same Prius e-cvt....the best type of cvt, super responsive in power mode and basically indestructible and immune to heat damage.

[@onlyfoolslads7844]

That's right it's a gear Not belt CVT that's what makes them different to these other cvt gearboxes

[@cardude5323]

Yes, they always get this wrong on their reviews. They are a planetary gear set. Seen them with half a million miles on the clock. These cvts are bombproof.

[@sveinungtorgrimsen2149]

Thank You! This is by far the best review I have seen :-)

[@rivervalegroup]

Thank You for the amazing feedback Sveinung! :)

[@Bohstim310]

Excellent review unbelievably thorough!

[@davidperrett7262]

I own 1 very reliable and nice to drive. Only criticism i have i find it quite low and hard to get in&out. Although i am knocking 60 and recently broke my hip 😀

[@timsmith3229]

Very interesting. Im 53, hips still OK :-) but drive a Z4, now that is low!! Think an IS300h will be my next car.

[@alanwhittaker594]

Fantastic review other Lexus which has Mark Levinson system as good as Lexus IS please ?

[@richardlionheart3965]

Rubber belt ???? not since Daf's in the 70s

[@shadow-Sun]

very very thorough and useful review well done

[@rivervalegroup]

Thanks for the feedback Shad 👍

[@nodwaa9227]

it amazes me how many reviewers of this car does not know what this gear box is ....

[@NotNowCato1254]

Yes, amazes and disappoints me 🙄

[@attilab.2818]

There is no belt in this E-CVT gearbox, in fact it’s not even a gearbox. Wrong information.

[@rivervalegroup]

Thank you for your feedback, Atilla. Are you looking for a new car at the moment?

[@h4x0rl33tee]

Beautiful car I have the f sport spec owned car for some time never had a problem with it love it driven German cars before especially bmw Mercedes expensive motoring when u get a problem and I have had a few of them owning them Never would buy another brand expect Lexus 👍

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Great review indeed.

[@cheungman83]

i have the old 08 IS250 and for 10 yrs old car i never had any problem apart from changing tyres, break disc/pads, now my car is write off, i'm definely buying this new shape Hybrid but i only like the look of F sport, the rest of the trim are very basic looking. only thing i don't like about this new IS is the infotainment system, i prefer the old touch screen with bigger screen easy to use and most of the new IS doesn't come with the Mark Levison 14 Speakers with 6 CD changer (yes i still listen to CD's) like my old IS comes as standard, where the new only has 6 basic speakers and single CD slot. I know the new facelift comes with a bigger screen and not a fan of the new facelift look.

[@rivervalegroup]

Great to hear you have had the IS250 for 10 years strong! If you want any more information feel free to contact one of our vehicle specialists www.osv.ltd.uk/contact-us/

[@khurram41]

you may feel awkward in the beginning but Infotainment system is one of the best

[@cvassilakis]

What a robust review!! A review full of positive thoughts and comments, just as this car deserves. But.... you would probably want to drive an F-Sport trim ;)

[@tectorama]

A good review but,.........Why on earth do petrol head reviewers always feel the need to compare every new car with German badged cars ? I have also yet to hear one say that they like CVT gearboxes. (which are brilliant)

[@patrickshields6620]

Cracking review, thanks

[@rivervalegroup]

Thank you Patrick for the great feedback 👍

[@Dr23rippa]

Who is the into music by???

[@hinolau5709]

curious hows the car working now

[@Letstalkaddiction1]

I love it

[@Loki1815]

So, you are saying that the Subaru Outback 2.0 Turbo CVT has time lags between paddle change and actual mechanical input? Careful now.....

[@catfirst2593]

"The rubber belt six speed CVT gearbox", doesn't exist in this car, my dear reviewer...

[@blitzchaserjzx100]

You can drive the is300h up to 40mph on battery..

[@tectorama]

If you're a petrol head, use sports mode.

[@soulboy5700]

Best review.

[@koppatroppa2002]

By far the best review!!! Any review on horizon about an is300h F sport type? Heard that not big difference from Executive one but sport seats, "F" badges here and there, 18" alloys and stiffer sport suspension to mention few however when driving the aggressive look not compensate with actual driving sport style you've expect..! Great video again 👍

[@rivervalegroup]

Thanks for the great feedback.

[@riccccccardo]

What Lexus any ages (cheaper the better lol) petrol hybrid is awd, sporty driving saloon that does very good mpg exist please? In future I'd like to get one.

[@rivervalegroup]

To our knowledge, unfortunately, there is not a sporty AWD Lexus which is economical and sporty.

[@thomasfahy7681]

Great review.

[@rivervalegroup]

Thanks for watching, Thomas! If you enjoyed the video, make sure to subscribe for the latest in-depth reviews: bit.ly/319ZKoT​

[@saulbelford7618]

Like old school top gear. 😊

[@sym667]

4:10 When you downshift on a manual, you decelerate and the engine revs up as well. What I'm not getting?

[@kamilianos]

good question, I think there is a lag , then gearbox responds with more power for when you next accelerate. Since there is no single gear, computer has to worked out what is needed (power or efficiency gear) , this is my guess. I will be test driving to find out : D I will let you know

[@JMB1891]

Watching this in 2020 in 480p ☹️

[@rivervalegroup]

Sorry about that, JB. This is one of our older reviews

[@gogutzy]

there's no belt!

[@vitalijkonakov9464]

One off review!!!

[@TheSkinheadlad]

best leave the off roading to jeeps i figure look at under the car at 25:48

[@ykh4n499]

The back seats dont go down in mine 🤔

[@lindahoward1883]

Switch in the boot on the seatback to unlock?

[@th3m3du54]

I think he mentioned the very base model does not have rear folding seats

[@riccccccardo]

Why the mpg so bad though I don't get it?

[@rivervalegroup]

Hi, In answer to your question: Its a 2.5-litre petrol engine with hybrid technology, so for a 2.5 petrol its a good mpg, however, "hybrid" engines only win around town not on the open road, as the battery runs out quickly and only starts recharging when slowing down. For motorway driving Diesel still is the King even over plug-in hybrids, which have the same problem as hybrids, once the battery is flat you are back to the petrol/diesel engine. 100% electric vehicles will give you good distance on a motorway if you are happy to pay the premium for this technology. I hope this helps :)

[@Insn1885]

First of all best review of the car I have seen. I have owned one for three years being the 16inch wheel SE the real mpg for the short 4 mile journey to work is 48 mpg winter, 50 mpg summer. Motorways not driving for economy 55 mpg and on longish journeys with towns, motorways and A roads 62 mpg (best ever 64) so yes for a 2.5 liter it is amazing. Also it has a 14 gallon tank so it can go 750 miles + on a tank. I like the CVT and acceleration is best in mid throttle range anyhow, yes if you floor it, it gets loud but the lack of gear change feel makes it a smooth pleasant drive (passengers love it). Never used the flappy paddles at all. The biggest surprise is the cornering. I have owned a lot of cars but never had anything close to how this can corner and go around roundabouts it follows the line you point it in. They certainly have done something right with the handling. I have a rear camera in it which is a good plus as it helps especially coming out of a parking space it being quite lifted at the back but also quite a low car for its size. Have never regretted getting it as at the time I bought it there were very few reviews so I took a chance. I first tested the Lexus 200H (the one I planned to get) but decided to try a 300H while I was there and it was just right all round. It is rear wheel drive which also adds to the driving feel, yes you get a driveshaft tunnel but has rarely been an issue. I like most people do not like the mouse as it is only possible to use when not driving. Has so many setting and controls that I have yet to use them all (more than enough). With the government starting to pick on diesel cars despite encouraging us to buy them not so long ago petrol/electric cars are the only option we will have soon.

[@blitzchaserjzx100]

Simon C Totally agree with you I love driving the is300h and it's faster and a lot cheaper to run than my is250

[@stephenrichards5386]

A rubber belt in the CVT ? A disaster waiting to happen and a very expensive failure

[@riccccccardo]

In my 2.0 petrol tfsi Quattro 12 years old I can get 40mpg on a 14 mile run 😁

[@catfirst2593]

riccccccardo You're a liar and we know that...

[@paulm2467]

Your Audi's reported figure is 42.2 mpg but average use over 30,000 miles of a typical owner is 33mpg, way less than this Lexus but ok for a sporty petrol driven car, your big losses are depreciation, tax and maintenance in the German luxury cars.

[@kubanskiloewe]

i prefer the GS450h

[@PrashLagisetti]

I'm considering the IS300h and GS450h. Any particular reason you prefer the GS450h? Of course, speed counts!

[@hughmcneillie743]

You need to feed steering wheel through hands look at your video crossed hands a no.

[@NotNowCato1254]

'Rubber belt driven' gearbox? Come on, do your homework - no such thing in a Toyota/Lexus eCVT transmission. It's an array of planetary gears. Lazy journalism. Poor show.

[@brianharmer1565]

English love their diesels. But don’t they realise the damage to the environment they are doing. Obviously not, so much for the education system. Absolutely unbelievable.

[@4DModding]

I always laugh at saving tax on emissions - your prob paying out a pile of cash to buy it - could buy a lot of tax discs with that cash

[@mikeballinger1258]

Its more about the savings in company car tax BIK - they are far greater savings than any tax disc

[@drianbennett126]

Excellent review. I'm picking up my Lexus tomorrow! Having owned a BMW M3, Mercedes E Class and Mercedes S Class, I won't be returning to German cars, and their poor quality, anytime soon!

[@rivervalegroup]

Great to hear, let us know how you get on with the Lexus 👍